Boiler system



May 31, 1938. I v. v. VEENSCHOTEN 2,118,834)

BOILER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 4, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 31, 1938. v v \IEENSCHQTEN 2,118,830

BOILER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 4, 19256 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1, 1938. v. v VEENSCHOT'EN 2111mm BOILER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 4, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 31, 1938. v. v. vENscHoTEN 9 7 BOILER SYSTEM Filed Aug. 4, 1936 5 Sheets$heet 5 Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES Northern Equipment Company, Erie, Pa... a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 4,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to systems for regulating the flow of feed water to boilers. It has for one of its objects providing for manual control of the flow if any occasion should arise. An ordinary feed water regulator is arranged to operate in the normal manner controlling the opening of the feed water valve; but if the operator wishes to raise or lower the water level in the boiler independently of the regulator he can do so by manual operation. A further object is to provide means whereby this additional control occurs automatically when necessary to the safe or efficient operation of the boiler system. A further object is to automatically signal to the operator when abnormal conditions with reference to the water feed to the boiler arises.

Briefly, the invention comprises means for continuously affecting the flow of water to the boiler; also means for intermittently affecting the control when the need arises, both of these means being automatic; also providing manual means for affecting the flow when any occasion arises; and also means for signalling to the operator any abnormal conditions in reference to the boiler water. A specific purpose of the invention is to provide feed water valves to which these various means can be applied. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof.

Of the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of a boiler and its attachments which embody some of the features of my invention; Fig. 2 is a somewhat similar elevation showing additional means; Fig. 3 is an elevation of a specific type of means for operating the feed water valve which is applicable to my invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same, and Fig. 5 is an elevation thereof at 90 from that of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is an elevation of a system somewhat similar to that of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 which is more or less diagrammatic, the boiler lll is supplied with water through a feed pipe H. The flow of water to the boiler is controlled by the feed water valve l2, which is operated in an ordinary manner by the regulator l3, or any suitable type of feed water regulator. As is well understood, when the water rises unduly in the tube l3 the tube contracts and the lever arm M is raised, and this in turn raises the arms l5 and I6 and thus closes more the Valve l2.

The arm I5 is pivoted to an arm ll, at the point l8, so that any variation in the elevation of the arm I! will vary accordingly the opening of the valve 12. In order that the level of the 1936, Serial No. 94,294

water in the boiler can be controlled independently of the regulator l3, whenever any occasion arises, I provide means in this case for varying the elevation of the arm IT. This means comprise the rotatable shaft I9 upon which the arm ll is threaded. This shaft is arranged to be rotated by means of an electric motor 22. On the shaft of the motor is mounted the screw 20 which meshes with the wheel 2|. The wheel 2! is fixed to the shaft 23 which is coupled coaxially with the shaft [9 by means of the detachable coupling 24.

If it is desired to vary the flow of water to the boiler independently of the boiler regulator IS, the operator, by operating the motor 22 in one direction or the other, may raise .or lower the arm I! by rotating the shaft l9 and thus close or open more the valve I2. This change in the position of the valve may be temporary or permanent as desired. If the water in the boiler surges temporarily the operator can close the feed valve somewhat until the emergency is over; or if he desires to lower the water level elevation permanently he can raise the arm H as much as is necessary to reach his purpose.

For convenience of operating the motor, switches may belocated at any convenient place, such as the gage board 25, the switch 26 for instance being for the purpose of raising the water in the boiler and the switch 21 for lowering the water. A water level meter 28, mounted on the board, indicates at all times the water level elevation, and lamps 29 and 30, of different colors, may be mounted on the board for indicating any abnormal elevation of the water level.

Also, if desired, a hand wheel 32 may be mounted on the upper end of the shaft 1 9 by means of which the shaft may be rotated and the water level may be affected as desired. When this wheel 32 is to be operated the coupling 24 is opened, and the arm I! elevated or lowered by rotating manually the shaft I9.

Fig. 2 illustrates automatic as well as manual means for independently alfecting the flow of Water to the boiler. In this case the boiler 40 is supplied with Water through the valve 4| by means of the ordinary feed water regulator 42. To control the flow independently of this regulator, however, in this case I provide an additional feed water valve 43 in parallel with the valve M. This valve 43 may be operated manually by means of the electric motor M, which is arranged to open or close the valve 43 in any ordinary manner. Mounted at any convenient place, such as on the gage board of the boiler system, are

switches 45 and 45. When one of these switches is closed current will fiow through one or the other of the solenoids 41 or 48 to operate the switch 49 and thus to operate the motor. For instance, when the switch 45 is closed current passes from the supply line 'II through the connector I3 of the switch 49, and the wire I4 through the switch 45 and thence through the wire I8, wire TI, limit switch 52, solenoid 48 to the supply line I2. The solenoid 48 closes the switch 49 and the motor is operated by means of the connecting wires 83, 84, and 85.

The valve 43 may be partly open ordinarily, if desired, and the water flow merely varied to meet the needs either temporarily or permanently; or this valve may be entirely opened or closed when the fiow is so affected. To avoid overload on the circuits, or straining of any of the parts, when the valve is fully closed or opened by the motor, limit or overload switches 5| and 52 may be inserted. The operator in this case may be guided by suitable indicators just as in case of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

In this case I provide also automatic means for operating the valve 43 independently of the regulator 42. This comprises the thermostatic tube 55 which is connected to the boiler by the pipes 56 and 51 substantially the same as is the tube 42. The tube 55 is adapted to operate a lever 58. This lever operates ordinary push button contacts or carries a brush which is adapted to close contacts 33 and 35 or 33 and 34, according as the tube 55 is full of water or steam. If the water rises too high the tube fills, cools, contracts and contacts 33 and 35 are closed. This closes the circuit through the solenoid 41 which causes the switch 49 to be operated to operate the motor to close more or entirely the valve 43.

For instance, when these contacts 33 and 35 are closed the current passes from the supply line II through the connector 13, the wires 74, I5, and I6, to the contact 33; thence to the contact 35, wires 36 and 31, solenoid 60, wires 82, 8| and 89, solenoid 41, to the supply line 12, thus operating the switch 49 and the motor 44. If the water sinks too low in the boiler the process is reversed: the solenoid 48 is excited and the motor is operated to open more or entirely the valve 43.

In either case, as soon as the water level elevation' changes sufficiently the contacts controlled by the tube 55 will be opened, and the movement of the valve 43 will cease. When the circuit through the contacts 33 and 34 is closed the solenoid 6| will be excited and this in turn will close a switch 93. When the switch 83 is closed the current will flow through the horn 66 and a light 61, signaling tothe operator that the water in the boiler is too high. The operator may then check up and see that the automatic operation of the tube 55 is ample, or he may operate the switch 45 thus operating manually the valve 43. Similarly closing the contacts 33 and 35 will excite the solenoid 60, close the switch 62, and blow the horn 64 and light the lamp 85.

It will be understood, however, that the automatic operation of the tube 55 may be limited merely to signaling the condition of the water level by the horns or the lights, leaving to the operator whatever correction may be necessary, just as suggested with reference to the apparatus of Fig. 1.

The system is connected to a generator by the wires I0, II and 12, The contact 33 is permanently connected with the wire 'II, by means of the wires-I4, 15, I6, and I3. The contact 34 is permanently connected with the wire I2 through the solenoid 48 and the wires I'I, I8, I9, and the solenoid BI. The contact 35 is permanently connected with the wire I2 through the solenoid 41 and the wires 80, BI, and 82, and the solenoid 60. The motor is connected with the power lines I0, II and I2 through the switch 49 and the wires 83, 84 and 85.

In Figures 3 to 5 I illustrate hydro-electric means for operating the feed water valve which are particularly adaptable to the system of Fig. 1 and which may be applied to the system of Fig. 3. These means comprise a piston 99 working in the cylinder 9| and connected, by means of a shaft 92, with the plunger of the feed water valve 93. Fluid under pressure is passed into the cylinder by means of a pipe 94 and the exhaust is passed out through a pipe 95, by means of an ordinary slide valve 98. The slide valve is operated by the feed water regulator of the system by means of a rod or strut 91 which is operated by the regulator lever in an ordinary manner. The rod 91 operates a lever 98, having its fulcrum 99, Fig. 5, mounted on an arm I00. The arm I00 is threaded on to a shaft IOI, which corresponds to the shaft I9 of Fig. 1. The arrangement is about the same as that of Fig. 1: the shaft MI is operated by the motor I02 through the screw I03, the screw wheel I94, the shaft I05 and the detachable coupling I86.

Pivoted to the lever 98 is a rod I01 which is also pivoted to a lever I09. The lever I98 has its fulcrum I09 fixed with reference to the shaft 92. And also pivoted to the lever I09 is a connecting rod II9 which operates the slide valve 96 to pass fluid under pressure into one end or the other of the cylinder9I. It will be understood that the feed Water regulator of this system may be substantially the same as that of Fig, 1, the lever I5 of that figure corresponding to the lever 98 of Fig. 5.

When the water in the boiler rises sufiiciently the regulator will raise the free end of the lever 98; this will raise the free end of the lever I08 and thus the slide of the valve 96, passing fluid under pressure into the upper end of the cylinder 9I and thus closingmore the feed water valve 93. And the reverse process occurs when the water in the boiler sinks sufiiciently to operate the regulator of the system. During these operations the motor I02 is assumed to remain at rest, as this is the normal operation of the feed system.

If, however, it is desired to control the water flow independently of the regulator, this may be done as with the apparatus of Fig. 1 by operating manually the motor. Or the motor can be connected up to automatic means such as are illustrated in Fig. 2. Also, in each of the modifications herein described it is to be understood that the ordinary feed water regulator may be dispensed with, and the feed'water valve manually operated with or without the assistance of the automatic signaling thermostat tube 55.

When the main regulator is thus dispensed with the point 36' of its lever, Fig. 1, becomes the fulcrum. For instance if the regulator is rendered inoperative in any manner, so that the lever I5 is at rest, the other operating means would operate the lever I5 around the fulcrum 38'.

Also the system of Fig. 2 could be modified to include one feed water valve only. This arrangement is shown by Fig. 6 in which the feed. valve IIO may be similar to the valve 93 and may be similarly operated by means of the regulator II I which is connected to the valve system by the strut or rod 91. The motor I02 is operable manually by switches H2 and H3, and it is operable automatically by the thermostatic tube I It.

When the switch H2 is operated to open the contacts H4 and to close the contacts H5, current flows from the supply line H6 through the switch H5, wire III, solenoid H8, limit switch H9, and wires I29 and I2I to the return power line I22. The solenoid II8 closes the motor switch I23, and thus current flows through the motor I02 from the supply line IIG, wire I24, switch I23 and wire I25, and then back through Wire I26, switch I23 and Wire I2I to the line I22. When the switch I I3 is operated the motor is rotated in the opposite direction by the solenoid I30.

Similarly, when the switch I3I is operated to close the contacts I32 and also the contacts I33, current flows from the line I I6, wire I34, contacts I32, wire I35, switch I I2, wire I36, wire I31, solenoid I30, limit switch I38, wires I20 and I2I, to the power line I22; thus operating the switch I23 and the motor I92 to open more the valve Iiil. At the same time, when the contacts I33 are closed by the operation of the switch I3I, the current flows from wire I34 through the contacts I33 and wire MD to the signal lamp MI and horn I42, and thence through Wire I43 to line I22. This signals to the operator that the Water is low enabling him to check up and see that the automatic operation is proper. When the switch M5 is operated the motor is rotated in the opposite direction, and the lamp I46 and horn I47 are operated.

It will thus be seen that in case of the system of Fig. 6 the two thermostatic tubes III and II I may operate the feed water valve concurrently but independently of each other. In practice the valve is operated normally by the tube III, the tube H4 being more for a safety device to prevent flooding or emptying of the boiler, and to signal to the operator when any dangerous condition arises. Also the feed water valve is under the control of the operator by the manual operation of the motor whenever the tube H4 is inoperative. And the valve is operable or adjustable manually by means of the wheel II5 just as in case of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

A feature of my invention of importance is the ability to operate the valve controlling mechanism at any distance that may be desired. The gage board may be located in another room or another building and, by running the electric wires from the board to the valve motor the valve can be controlled according to the indications of the level indicator by the switches on the board. Also the high and low thermostat may be located without reference to the location of the feed water valve, as the two are connected only by the electric circuits.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a boiler system, a feed water valve, means responsive to the Water level elevation in the boiler for operating the valve, said means comprising a lever, means for varying the position of the lever fulcrum, an electric motor operatively connected with the later means, and manual means for operating the motor.

2. In a boiler system as claimed in claim 1, in which said manual means is mounted on the gage board of the system.

3. In a boiler system as claimed in claim 1, and additional means for varying the position of the fulcrum while said responsive means is in normal operation.

4. A boiler system as claimed in claim 1, in which varying means comprises a rotatable shaft, an element threaded onto the shaft, the said fulcrum being mounted on the element, and means for operatively connecting the shaft with the motor.

5. In a boiler system as claimed in claim 1, in which said varying means comprise a rotatably mounted shaft, an element threaded onto the shaft, the said fulcrum being mounted on the ele- 1 ment, means for operatively connecting the shaft with the motor, means for disconnecting the shaft from the motor, and manual means for rotating the shaft independently of the motor.

6. In a boiler system, a feed water valve for the boiler, means responsive to the water level elevation in the boiler for operating the valve, manual means for operating the valve when said responsive means are not operating, said manual means comprising an electric switch.

'7. A boiler system as claimed in claim 6, in cluding a second feed water valvefor the boiler mounted in the system parallel with the first mentioned valve, and means responsive to the water level elevation for operating the second valve.

8. In a boiler system, a feed water valve, means for operating the valve, said means comprising a cylinder, a fluid pressure operable piston mounted in the cylinder and operatively connected with the valve, a slide valve for passing fluid under pressure into the cylinder, means responsive to the water level elevation in the boiler for operating the slide valve, and manual means for varying the position of the slide valve independently of the responsive means.

9. A boiler system as claimed in claim 8, and other means responsive to the Water level elevation in the boiler for varying the position of the slide valve when the first mentioned responsive means is in operation.

10. In a boiler system, means responsive to the water level elevation in the boiler for affecting the flow of Water to the boiler, other means responsive to said level elevation for affecting said flow of water, said latter means comprising means for indicating the said level elevation, and manual means for affecting said flow.

11. In a boiler system, a feed-water valve, means responsive to the water level elevation in the boiler for operating the valve, said means comprising a lever, means for varying the posi tion of the lever fulcrum, said latter means comprising a motor, and manual means for operating the motor.

VINCENT V. VEENSCI-IOTEN. 

